#evinis

“I don’t know Jo, I really don’t want to make him angry. We’re just starting to get closer and I don’t want to ruin that. Besides, you’ve seen him mad.” 

The girls were tending the snow drops  Johanna had brought on her cross world’s journey, planting them in the greenhouse as they had this conversation. Green and blue sleeves rolled high on their arms, the pale skin stained brown, dirt under their nails. 

Johanna sat back on her heels, blowing a piece of wavy dark brown hair from her eyes, as she contemplated the dilemma before them both. 

A dare from Sebastian that neither girl dared refuse. 

You see Sebastian had dared them to prank Ominis, lest they be victim to one of his own. And this year he had teamed up with Garreth Weasley. There was no second thought, they didn’t want to know what he had planned for them so they’d agreed obviously. 

“I know your Ominis is different than mine in some ways, but trust me, he’s still a softie inside. Yes he might get furious but he’d never harm us. He might be like a ruffled cat for a while but he’ll cool off.” 

Evelyne dusted off her hands before wiping a wet strand of light brown hair from her blue eyes. Despite her efforts some still escaped the tight bun. “That’s the thing, I don’t want him to be “ruffled.” I want to have a nice quiet Christmas with him and give him simply nice surprises, not pranks as well.” 

“Then we’ll just tell him we were pressured. I’m sure Ominis will understand. He may even have an idea of how we can get Sebastian back. Ominis has a playful side to him under all those hard scales.” 

Evelyne sighed. “If you say so. I just…I like him Jo. As more than a friend. And if this ruins my chance..”

Jo took her hand, ignoring the soft flinch, and gently squeezed it in reassurance. “I promise it’ll be fine. We will make sure you get your mistletoe moment.” 

“Promise?”

Soft sincere brown eyes met cautious blue ones. 

“Promise. Now, what kind of ideas do you have?”

And Jo watched those eyes flicker mischievously. 

~~~

How did one charm a lady? It couldn’t be that difficult. But Ominis was a man of thought and one who aimed for perfection in all he did. So of course the poor boy was overthinking. Despite himself he even went to Sebastian, only to curl his lips in disgust when he found the quill enchanted to write his hearts deepest feelings only wrote crass words. 

Sebastian should have known Ominis always looked over his work before turning it in after all the years they’d been in school together, but alas Sebastian wasn’t always that good at paying attention to things that didn’t involve him. So he got lectured. 

Chocolates? 

No, way too basic. 

Flowers? 

That was closer. He knew Evelyne loved Herbology and gardening. She was so tender and gentle with plants , speaking to them as if they could hear her. 

“They can hear you Ominis, look how much better they grow when you speak kindly to them.” 

She’d told him once. 

And they did grow, just like he did. Slowly stretching in her direction, towards her warmth, ears searching for her voice, and his heart? Well that was growing too, growing soft, and tender. His secret garden that she was inadvertently tending day by day. 

If only he could tell her that. Instead she was meek, and he was stiff, ignoring the pull of the red thread. 

He needed something meaningful, that showed her how much she was valued, when she didn’t even value herself. Chocolate and flowers wouldn’t cut it. 

Ominis would have to use his status, something he usually despised doing. But for her he would. 

Because she deserved everything. 

~~ 

Johanna and Evelyne waited on the rooftop giggling nervously as they waited for their victim to come their way. Ominis was making his normal rounds per usual and had no idea what was coming his way. 

Until just before he passed under the entry to the clock tower he found cold snow falling on his head and down the back of his jacket, making him shiver. 

Furious Ominis was about to launch into a spiel until he heard her stifled laughter. Lavandin  wanted to play did she? He always knew she had it in her.

He tilted his head up in her direction, a small smirk twisting his lips, a snowball already formed thanks to clever wand work. “You dare challenge me?”

He heard her squeak. 

“You better be prepared to finish what you started Evelyn.” He warned before launching the ball of frozen water in what he assumed was her direction. 

Instead he heard Jo shriek in cold delight and then the sound of Evelyne falling into a luckily very deep snow bank. Laughing he helped dig her out, only to find them both in a very awkward position. 

“Uhh hi.” Ominis murmured, ears pink as he realized she was underneath him. “Sorry, I’ll just-“

He tried to get up but she grabbed his arms for a second stopping him. “Wait, I have to say something and if you move I might lose the confidence to say it.  I like you Ominis Gaunt!”

Ominis froze. “You, you what?” 

“I like you.” 

Ominis groaned. “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to hear that.” 

And then he kissed her, hot and fierce in the snow. 

For in a way Ominis was like winter and she had melted him. Now he claimed spring as his own. 

Jo smirked, for growing above them now was mistletoe. “Plant magic or love? Both.” 

~~~

A bit later, the new couple sat curled up together on the Slytherin sofa by the fire. Less wet, less shy, and a whole lot happier. His claim was in her hair, a lovely golden brooch in the form of a snake with a pearl. Her claim was kisses, and  jelly beans in his stomach. Another way to his heart you could say. 

She had originally protested against him giving her such fine a gift but when he’d poetically expressed how it represented his love, her elegance, and the transformation she’d given him, she couldn’t refuse. 

Now it shone in her hair, a symbol of a snake protecting his precious gem, the best wealth, love. And it represented the healing they could have. 

The healing we wish on all in the New Year. 

Also just like Ominis wished  somewhere Jo was getting revenge on Seb, with his full support. 

Just so long as him and his rose weren’t disturbed. 

The end

—

Dear Libe,

Be transformed this new year, with love and the knowledge of learning something new. 🌟 🙏

(I hope I portrayed Evelyne correctly as I wrote this quickly and with not much info on her but what I’ve seen briefly. Hope you enjoyed it!!)